ARCHIVED - Development of the next generation EnerGuide Rating System

Natural Resources Canada works with stakeholders across the country to update its home energy evaluation and rating system. This web page provides details on the consultative process which was completed in 2012.

• Meetings
• ERS Policy Advisory Committee
  • ERS Policy Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
  • ERS Policy Advisory Committee Members
• Information Subcommittee
  • Information Subcommittee Mandate
  • Information Subcommittee Members
• Delivery Subcommittee
  • Delivery Subcommittee Mandate
  • Delivery Subcommittee Members
• Technical Subcommittee
  • Technical Subcommittee Mandate
  • Technical Subcommittee Members
• Observers

Public Review of the Next Generation EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) Consultation Document

The public review period for the Next Generation ERS Consultation Documents, developed by the Next Generation ERS Policy Advisory Committee, has closed. It was open to public review from May 1, 2012 to May 30, 2012.

Meetings

The thirteenth Committee meeting took place on September 25-26, 2012.

The twelfth Committee meeting took place on March 1, 2012.

The eleventh Committee meeting took place on October 11, 2011.

The tenth Committee meeting took place on September 19, 2011.

The ninth Committee meeting took place on June 27, 2011.

The eighth Committee meeting took place on June 23, 2011.

The seventh Committee meeting took place on April 29, 2011.

The sixth Committee meeting took place on January 18, 2011.

The fifth Committee meeting took place on December 14, 2010.

The fourth Committee meeting took place on November 30-December 1, 2010.

The third Committee meeting took place on October 20, 2010.

The second Committee meeting took place on June 15-16, 2010.

The first Committee meeting took place on March 11-12, 2010.

Next Generation ERS: Policy Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (excerpt)

Vision Statement for the Next Generation EnerGuide Rating System Process

The vision for the next generation EnerGuide Rating System (ERS) process is to develop the most effective energy rating system, supported by the best tools and acceptable to and recognized by all stakeholders.

Parameters for the Next Generation EnerGuide Rating System

The following parameters must be adhered to by the Committee:

1. The system must be able to rate the energy efficiency of both existing and new houses including net zero homes on the same scale.
2. The rating system must only rate energy and factors that are related to energy use in the home.
3. The rating system must have the ability to account for electrical loads, air conditioning and renewable energy.
4. The rating system must be complementary to energy codes.
5. The rating system must offer stability for stakeholders using the system.
6. The system must be able to help homeowners make informed decisions about energy use in their homes.

Scope of the Next Generation EnerGuide Rating System

The Policy Advisory Committee will focus on setting a policy framework for the next generation of the ERS. This policy framework will set the scope of the ERS itself. The Policy Advisory Committee will also provide recommendations on the system design and functionality of the ERS, information requirements from the ERS and the delivery structure.

The ERS itself will apply to site-built and factory built housing and small buildings of residential occupancy which are on a permanent foundation and covered under Part 9¹ of the National Building Code.

Policy Advisory Committee Mandate

This Committee is responsible for providing recommendations to Natural Resource Canada (NRCan) on a policy framework for the rating system. This will include developing the functional requirements of the system and determining what elements are to be included in its scope. NRCan will retain ownership of the EnerGuide Rating System and will be responsible for its management and for the administrative procedures for applying the rating.

Overview of the Process

Within the context of the vision, parameters and scope, the goal of this project is to create the next generation ERS in collaboration with stakeholders. The process will be based on a Standards Council of Canada approach, taking into consideration CCBFC procedures, and will include broad and structured consultations and consensus based decision making.

The Policy Advisory Committee will define the parameters and the functional requirements of the new rating system. The Policy Advisory Committee will be supported by three sub-committees; a technical sub-committee to determine the details of how the rating will be achieved, an information sub-committee to look at the requirements of the rating label, rating reports and associated communications, and a delivery sub-committee to make recommendations on the implementation aspects of the program.

The sub-committees will be structured to contain a balanced representation of interest groups and, like the Policy Advisory Committee, will operate on a process based on the principles of consensus. The sub-committees will make recommendations to the Policy Advisory Committee for the aspects of the ERS that fall within their scope including the related requirements for the software tool. The proposed system will be put out for a 30 day public review prior to final ratification by the Policy Advisory Committee. Upon completion of the new system, mechanisms will be put in place for regular review and revision.

ERS Policy Advisory Committee: Members

Executive

Jim Robar – Committee Chair

Barry Beale
Ontario Energy and Infrastructure

Denis Bourgeois
Agence de I' efficacité énergétique

Donald Dodge
Efficiency Nova Scotia

Chris Frye
BC Ministry of Energy and Mines

James Gates
SaskEnergy

Michel Gauvin
Efficiency New Brunswick

Ken Klassen
on behalf of Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines

Cathy Cottrell
Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Yukon

Andy Nikiforuk
Alberta Energy

Mike Proud
PEI Office of Energy Efficiency

Jim Sparling
NWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Advisors

Jeff Beckman, Chair, Information Sub-Committee
Manitoba Hydro

James Douglas
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario

Steve Goldberg, Chair, Delivery Sub-Committee
Canadian Construction Controls Limited

Jarrett Hutchinson
Building and Safety Standards, British Columbia

Louis Marmen, Chair, Technical Sub-Committee
Canadian Gas Association

Ted Ross
Nova Scotia Labour & Workforce Development

Ex Officio

Debra Haltrecht
Natural Resources Canada

Duncan Hill
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Kevin Lee
Natural Resources Canada

Frank Lohmann
National Research Council of Canada

Richard Miller
Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes

Anil Parekh – Technical Advisor
Natural Resources Canada

Elizabeth Sampson – Secretary
Natural Resources Canada

Information Subcommittee

Information Subcommittee Mandate

The mandate of the Information Subcommittee is:

• To adhere to the policy direction laid out by the Policy Advisory Committee and to go back to the Policy Advisory Committee whenever further policy direction is required;
• To make recommendations on what information should be included on the label;
• To make recommendations on what information should be included in new housing reports;
• To make recommendations on what information should be included in existing housing reports;
• To make recommendations on other information requirements;
• To prioritize recommendations;
• To provide these recommendations to the Policy Advisory Committee; and
• To recommend tool requirements to meet information needs in order of priority.

Information Subcommittee: Members

Jeff Beckman, Chair
Manitoba Hydro

David Bengert
Jayman MasterBuilt

Chris Chopik
Bosley Real Estate Ltd.

Maureen Cureton
Vancity Credit Union

Shawna Henderson
BfreeHomes Design Ltd.

Joan Huzar
Consumer Council of Canada

Martin Luymes
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada

Corey McBurney
EnerQuality

Peter Moffatt
Building Insight Technologies

Roger Peters
Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance

Stephen Koch
NAIMA Canada

Ex Officio Members

Suzanne Deschênes, NRCan Advisor
Natural Resources Canada

Debra Haltrecht
Natural Resources Canada

Kally Narváez, NRCan Advisor
Natural Resources Canada

Elizabeth Sampson, Secretary
Natural Resources Canada

Delivery Subcommittee

Delivery Subcommittee Mandate

The mandate of the Delivery Subcommittee is:

• To adhere to the policy direction laid out by the Policy Advisory Committee and to go back to the Policy Advisory Committee whenever further policy direction is required;
• To review existing ERS procedures with respect to:
  • Delivery structure (SO, EA),
  • Training and accreditation,
  • Quality Assurance, and
  • Liability.
• To make recommendations on how the delivery structure should function;
• To make recommendations on how training should function and what it should cover;
• To make recommendations on quality assurance;
• To make recommendations around liability issues inherent in the system;
• To prioritize recommendations;
• To provide these recommendations to the Policy Advisory Committee; and
• To recommend tool requirements to meet delivery needs in order of priority.

Delivery Subcommittee: Members

Marc Bourque
Enerplan Consultants Ltd.

Bill Fandrick
Inspections Department, Yellowknife

Steve Goldberg, Chair
Canadian Construction Controls, Ltd.

Stefan Gruescu
Carson Dunlop

Tyler Hermanson
4 Element Integrated Design Ltd.

Andrew Holley
Integrity Homes 2000 Inc.

Gary Lengle
Terasen Gas

Gio Robson
Prairie House Performance

Ex Officio Members

Martin Gaudet, NRCan Advisor
Natural Resources Canada

Debra Haltrecht
Natural Resources Canada

Elizabeth Sampson, Secretary
Natural Resources Canada

Jen Talsma, NRCan Advisor
Natural Resources Canada

Technical Subcommittee

Technical Subcommittee Mandate

The mandate of the Technical Subcommittee is:

• To adhere to the policy direction laid out by the Policy Advisory Committee and to go back to the Policy Advisory Committee whenever further policy direction is required;
• To make recommendations on how to implement the functional requirements set by the Policy Advisory Committee;
• To make recommendations on how the elements fit into the system;
• To consider data collection for both new and existing houses;
• To prioritize recommendations;
• To provide technical recommendations to the Policy Advisory Committee; and
• To recommend tool requirements to meet the technical needs in order of priority.

Technical Subcommittee: Members

Allan Brooks
ATCO Energy Sense

André Carrier
Hydro Quebec

Rob Dumont
Dumont & Associates

Peter Edwards
Peter Edwards Co.

Keith Hanson
SunRidge Group

Cengiz Kahramanoglu
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario

Michael Lio
Lio & Associates

Alex McGowan
Levelton Consultants Ltd.

Louis Marmen, Chair
Canadian Gas Association

Terry Watters
Sustainable Housing

Wayne Wilkinson
Wayne Wilkinson Consulting

Ex Officio Members

Debra Haltrecht
Natural Resources Canada

Frank Lohmann
National Research Council of Canada

Anil Parekh, Technical Advisor
Natural Resources Canada

Elizabeth Sampson, Secretary
Natural Resources Canada

Observers

Observers are non-voting individuals and representatives of organizations who are on the information distribution list, invited to submit comments at all stages, invited to attend open committee meetings, and may participate in meeting discussions as time permits and at the discretion of the Chair. If an observer elects to attend a committee meeting, they must notify the secretary at least two weeks prior to the meeting to determine whether their presence can be accommodated.

¹ As defined in Clause 1.3.3.3.(1)(a) and Sentence 1.1.1.1.(2) of Division A of the National Building Code of Canada.